FIIDS Raised IndoAmericans Issues To EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar

Washington, DC Sept 25, 2022

On behalf of Indo Americans / Indian diaspora, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), a US-based institute for US-India relations, IndoAmerican issues and awareness, FIIDS presented following observations and asks to Hon. External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar ji during his visit to Washington, DC on 25th Sept 2022:

Campaign Against India and IndoAmericans: While the US leadership including the Department of State has acknowledged strategic importance of US-India partnership, there is an ongoing campaign of mis-information against India labeling India and its leadership as anti-democratic and fostering genocide. As a result, there is a noise negatively impacting policy makers and there is an increase in hate-crimes and religiophobia against the Indian diaspora. We observe that a nexus of left-radicals, extreme-Islamists and Khalistani-separatists operating within the leading democratic establishments are involved in this campaign. Though we are creating awareness about these activities, we also request your office to surface concerns about this at the appropriate highest level to desist the establishments from incorrectly presenting India and meddling in internal matters to India. We also request increasing efforts to timely provide all relevant facts to counter the misinformation.
Long wait for US visa appointments: Even Though the US consulates in India started processing visas after a two year long covid related pause, there is a long wait time going into 2024 for new applicants, depriving 4.5 million Indian diaspora to bring their family members visiting the US. Indian diaspora’s efforts in reducing the wait-time will be expedited with sharing the concerns from your office.
Aadhar Card Processing In US consulates: As Adhar-card is essential for most of financial and legal matters in India, and as it requires in person visits to the aadhar card centers in India
Free Trade agreement: US-India bilateral trade as well as Indo-pacific trades are important both for India and US, hence needs to be expedited. On behalf of the Indo-American community we would like to help in any possible way.